# Firefly inks $1.3 billion deal to supply engines for new AST SpaceMobile ‘Blacklift’ rocket

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/firefly-inks-1-3-billion-deal-to-supply-engines-for-new-ast-spacemobile-blacklift-rocket/
- Published: 2026-11-06T15:18:10+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T17:13:04+00:00
- Original publisher: CNA (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/firefly-inks-13-billion-deal-supply-engines-new-ast-spacemobile-blacklift-rocket-6531826
- Topics: Space, Technology, World

## Key points

- Firefly’s engine deal with AST SpaceMobile is worth $1.3 billion.
- Engines are planned for the first three Blacklift rockets.
- AST aims for a debut launch in late 2028.

## Summary

Firefly Aerospace has agreed to supply engines for AST SpaceMobile’s planned Blacklift rocket in a deal worth $1.3 billion. The agreement supports AST’s effort to develop its own launch capability as it builds a satellite network for broadband service directly to mobile phones and seeks greater control over access to space.

Firefly will provide 27 Miranda engines and nine Vira in-space engines for Blacklift’s first three rockets, and license AST to manufacture the engines later. AST is targeting a first launch in late 2028; it says the reusable rocket could carry up to five BlueBird satellites per flight. The company still plans to use outside launch providers and has more than 100 launch agreements, with roughly a dozen satellites launched since 2024.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.